Chess Puzzle #489Iq — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks d1/h1; bishop e2; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king f8; queen f6; rooks a8/e7; bishop d7; knight d6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg5 — pawn h6→g5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: hxg5 — pawn h4→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf2 — king e1→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move hxg5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/pp1brpp1/2pn1q1p/3p2N1/Q6P/P1P1P3/1P2BPP1/3RK2R b K - 6 21

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